Official Trailer
Role: Director of Photography
Production Company: Blast Films
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Series: 4
Series Producer: Pip Banyard
Location: Chester Zoo
Format: HD
Camera: Sony FS7
The Secret Life of the Zoo takes viewers behind the scenes at Chester Zoo. The observational documentary series follows the animals, their behaviour and the relationships they develop with their keepers.
Blast Films produced the programme for Channel 4. I joined the production as Director of Photography, working with Series Producer Pip Banyard to capture stories as they developed across the zoo.
Observational Filming at Chester Zoo
Filming animals requires patience, awareness and the ability to react quickly. Behaviour can change without warning, and important moments rarely happen twice. Therefore, I worked unobtrusively and stayed ready to follow the action.
Rather than interrupting events, I anticipated movement and adjusted the framing as each situation developed. This approach helped preserve natural behaviour while giving the edit clear sequences, reactions and visual details.
Meanwhile, the filming locations presented different technical challenges. Backgrounds, available light and shooting positions could change throughout the day. As a result, I adapted the camera approach while maintaining a consistent look across the footage.
Sony FS7 and Macro Cinematography
I filmed in HD using the Sony FS7. Its documentary-style design suited the fast-moving production and allowed me to move efficiently between different stories and locations.
In addition to the wider observational coverage, I captured detailed shots that revealed a different perspective on the zoo’s inhabitants. For example, I used a macro lens to film a grasshopper in extreme close-up. At that scale, the insect appeared almost other-worldly and revealed details that viewers would usually miss.
The combination of observational camerawork and close-detail photography helped create variety while supporting the programme’s intimate visual style.
Documentary DOP Approach
Working as a documentary DOP involves more than recording events. Each sequence needs a clear visual structure while still feeling natural and immediate.
My approach combines responsive camerawork with careful composition and an awareness of how every shot will work in the edit. Consequently, producers gain authentic footage alongside the coverage needed to build a complete factual story.
You can learn more about my Director of Photography services and view further television work on my factual showreel.
Behind the Scenes
For more detail about the filming approach and macro grasshopper sequence, read my article about working as DOP on The Secret Life of the Zoo.
Finally, if you need an experienced DOP or documentary cameraman for a factual production, please contact me to discuss your project.
